Classe Audio CA-301 User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

CA-301

Power Amplifier

ENGLISH..........................................................................1

FRANÇAIS

......................................................................3

DEUTSCH

........................................................................5

ESPAÑOL

......................................................................7

NEDERLANDS

..........................................................10

ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ

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............................................................................15

SPECIFICATIONS

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V1.0

J3 J2 J1 J0 ADDRESS RC Button Auto ON

XXXX0Amp 1No

XXXOut1Amp 2No

X X Out X 2 Amp 3 No

X X Out Out 3 Amp 4 No

X Out X X 4 Amp 5 No

X Out X Out 5 Amp 6 No

X Out Out X 0 Amp 1 No

X Out Out Out 0 Amp 1 Yes

Figure 1 – Jumper settings

Figure 2 – Rear view

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1

THANK YOU FROM EVERYONE AT

CLASSÉ

Thank you for purchasing the Classé CA-301

power amplifier.

We take great pride in offering components

that combine exceptional sonic performance and

long-term reliability. To do that, we have invested

in extraordinary design and manufacturing

facilities. We trust that you will enjoy your

purchase for many years to come.

CLASSÉ DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

All of our components benefit from the same

rigorous design goal: All Classé products must

reproduce music with the harmonic and spatial

integrity typical of fine instruments heard in a

live, unamplified performance.

Single Circuit Design

To this end, we make extensive use of

carefully optimized versions of the same basic

circuit precisely matched to specific power

requirements. This means that all Classé line

level components and power amplifiers benefit

from years of refinement. However, our efforts

do not stop here.

Listening: The Critical Design Element

Once we determine general circuit values

for a particular application, we listen carefully

while exchanging and mixing different parts

(transistors, capacitors, wiring, PC boards, etc.)

and adjusting specific operating voltages within

proper engineering ranges.

Extended Real-World Lifespan

Every Classé component, even the most

affordable, benefits from our painstaking

approach to design parameters. The result is an

optimum balance between the often-conflicting

demands of exceptional performance and long-

term reliability. Our most expensive components

gain from even tighter tolerance parts and highly

segmented and exceptionally robust power

supplies with large reserve-current capabilities.

Our Pride in Manufacturing, Your Pride

in Ownership

We build all of our components to the highest

possible standards. From multi-layer glass-epoxy

circuit boards, the full sized power-supplies, and

the massive faceplates, every Classé product is

a tribute to both the science and art of sound

reproduction. We hope that you derive as much

pleasure and satisfaction in using your Classé as

we did in producing it.

UNPACKING & SET-UP

Your CLASSÉ CA-301 power amplifier is packed

in high density, semi-rigid foam placed in a

special cardboard box. To remove the unit, open

and spread all the top flaps of the box and by

its sides, lift out the entire unit and put it on a

large flat surface. Take it out of the plastic bag

and inspect the unit for any concealed damage.

Apart from this owner's manual, please ensure

the following has also been included:

• ONE (1) DETACHABLE A.C. LINECORD

Please report any damage or missing parts to

your dealer immediately.

Place the CA-301 at or near its final set-up

position, allowing 8 inches at the rear for

tightening the speaker output connectors.

The power transformer in the CA-301 are

located at the front-center of the unit. Ideally,

a few feet should separate this area from

components which potentially could pick up

hum. These include preamplifiers, turntables,

and interconnect cables. In terms of providing

adequate airspace for cooling, a good rule of

thumb is to allow 6 inches above and 3 inches

on each side of the unit.

Check the Serial Number sticker on the back of

the unit for the correct operating voltage. The

CA-301 has one external AC fuse, the rating of

which should be as follows:

LINE VOLTAGE FUSE RATING

100 or 120 V.A.C. 12 AMP SLOW BLOW,

125 or 250 volts

220 or 240 V.A.C. 10 AMP SLOW BLOW,

250 volts

GENERAL CONNECTIONS

A.C. Line

Insert the linecord into the A.C. receptacle on

the rear of the unit. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU

HAVE PREVIOUSLY HOOKED UP THE SPEAKERS

AND PREAMPLIFIER TO YOUR AMPLIFIER BEFORE

CONNECTING THE AC POWER CORD TO THE

AMPLIFIER.

IMPORTANT NOTE

CAUTION: Safety Instructions

Disconnect the AC line cable before making any

other connections. “Floating the ground”, or

defeating the ground on a 3-prong linecord may

create a shock hazard. Connect all interconnect

cables between the electronics before connecting

the A.C. linecord to the wall outlets. This will

reduce the potential shock hazard.

Stereo

Input and output connectors are clearly

marked on the back of the amplifier. Left/Right

connections are oriented from the front of the

unit. Stereo output connections are marked

above the connectors. Switch stereo/mono switch

to STEREO position. (The CA-301 is preset at the

factory for STEREO.)

Use only high quality interconnect and

loudspeaker cables, and make all connections

tight. If the RCA input plugs are loose, remove

them and pinch down the ground leaves slightly

with pliers. Observe correct phasing of the

loudspeaker connections, and tighten. DO NOT

OVERTIGHTEN the output connectors. When

powering up the CA-301 in stereo mode, the

front LED will blink RED for approximately

20 seconds, when the sequence is completed,

will be solid RED.

Mono

Please read through the previous Stereo section

for general notes on securing good connections,

and safety tips. If the unit has been previously

used in stereo, make sure it is OFF, and remove

all connections, including the AC line cable.

Make sure the STEREO/MONO switch is switched

to the MONO position.

NOTE: The Stereo-Mono switch will not operate

if the amplifier is turned on, you will NOT be able

to change from one mode to the other, as the

mode is “locked” while the amplifier is on.

The MONO “Input” is the “left channel input”,

as marked. The unused right channel input is

automatically disconnected. Correct output

phase MONO connections are marked below

the connectors.

Repeat the above MONO settings and

connections on the second CA-301 to be used

for the other channel.

Please remember that the negative output

connection of a bridged amplifier is NOT a

ground. Do not use a “common ground” switch-

box set-up. Do not use with electronic crossovers

which have a common ground. Connecting two

bridged amplifiers to a common ground device

of any sort will cause the amplifiers to fail.

Mono Operation

As stated before, either the line or balanced

inputs can be used in stereo or mono. Connect

a single interconnect, either line or balanced, to

the left channel input of each amplifier. See the

“Mono” section above for complete details.

NOTE: Neither the Stereo-Mono switch nor the

LINE/ BALANCED switch will operate while the

amplifier is turned on. You will NOT be able to

change from one mode to the other, as these

modes are “locked” while the amplifier is on. To

activate the circuit, turn off the unit and engage

the STEREO/MONO switch to LINE. If the unit has

not been turned off before engaging the switch,

turn off the unit, wait for about 10 seconds, and

turn the unit on again, the circuit will then

engage.

2

CONNECTIONS FOR LINE OR

BALANCED INPUTS:

The CLASSÉ CA-301 power amplifier is equipped

with both line and balanced inputs. Either one

may be used SEPARATELY, BUT NOT

SIMULTANEOUSLY. The balanced inputs must be

connected to a pre-amplifier which has balanced

main outputs. Balanced inter-connects with

“XLR” connectors are also required. Regardless

of the amplifier inputs used, stereo or mono

operation is possible on the CA-301.

Line Inputs

Engage the LINE/BALANCED switch to the

position marked “LINE”. (The amplifier is factory

set for “LINE”.)

NOTE: The LINE/ BALANCED switch will

not operate if the amplifier is turned on, you

will NOT be able to change from one mode to

the other, as the mode is “locked” while the

amplifier is on. To activate the circuit, turn off

the unit and engage the LINE/BALANCED switch

to LINE. If the unit has not been turned off

before engaging the switch, turn off the unit,

wait for about 10 seconds, and turn the unit on

again, the circuit will then engage. Connect the

line interconnects to the RCA input jacks on the

rear panels of the CA-301. The balanced

connectors are automatically disabled.

Balanced Inputs

Switch the LINE/BALANCED switch to the

position marked “BALANCED”. A balanced

preamplifier and balanced interconnects are

also required.

NOTE: The LINE/ BALANCED switch will

not operate if the amplifier is turned on, you

will NOT be able to change from one mode to

the other, as the mode is "locked" while the

amplifier is on. If the unit has not been turned

off before engaging the switch, turn off the unit,

wait for about 10 seconds, and turn the unit on

again, the circuit will then engage. For use with

balanced preamplifiers other than Classé, the

wiring of the 3-pin XLR connectors must be

matched to that of the CLASSÉ CA-301

which are wired as follows:

• PIN 1: GROUND

• PIN 2: POSITIVE (NON-INVERTED)

SIGNAL, “HOT“

• PIN 3: NEGATIVE (INVERTED) SIGNAL

All Classé preamplifiers and amplifiers are

configured as above. Some preamplifiers from

other manufacturers have PIN-3 set as the

positive or “HOT” side. If this is true of your

preamplifier, and you wish to maintain absolute

phase throughout your system, the interconnects

must have the wire which is connected to PIN-3

at the preamplifier output end switched to PIN-2

at the amplifier input end and the wire which is

connected to PIN-2 at the preamplifier output

switched to PIN-3 at the amplifier input end.

Having confirmed the correct connections, plug

the XLR connectors of the balanced interconnects

into the locking XLR connectors on the rear panel

of the CA-301. Push the connectors in until

the locking mechanism clicks. (To remove the

connectors, press the tab above the connector

while pulling gently on the connector body.)

Protection Circuit

A special circuit in the Classé CA-301

continuously monitors the output audio signal

to detect output overload, clipping or DC

content. In addition, each channel has two front

end supply voltage fuses (

3

/

4

amp fast blow),

located on the front end voltage regulation

board, to protect the input circuitry from

damage due to overload.

There is also an AC line fuse, located at the rear

of the amplifier immediately above the IEC

receptacle.

If the protection circuit of the unit is triggered

or any of the protection fuses has blown,

the FRONT PANEL POWER LED will go to

BLINKING GREEN.

IF THE PROTECTION CIRCUIT HAS BEEN

TRIGGERED, TURN THE CA-301 OFF. After the

situation which has triggered the protection

circuit has been clearly identified and corrected,

attempt to re-start the unit. IF THE UNIT STILL

GOES INTO PROTECTION MODE, OR IF IT

APPEARS THAT PROTECTION FUSES DID BLOW,

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALER. DO NOT TRY

TO CHANGE A BLOWN FUSE. REPLACING A FUSE

WITHOUT CHECKING FOR COMPONENT FAILURE

COULD RESULT IN FURTHER, SERIOUS DAMAGE

TO VITAL COMPONENTS IN YOUR AMPLIFIER.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALER or Customer

Service at the Classé Audio, Inc –

+1(514) 636 63 84.

IR Out and In:

The CA-301 may also be turned on and off using

our SSP-75 Surround Sound Processor, utilising

the IR OUT and IN jacks. To turn on your CA-301

with the SSP-75, Disconnect you CA-301 from

the AC line completely, open the top cover and

locate the 4 internal jumpers inside the CA-301

located to the right side of the regulator board

(top board located at the back of the unit).

When facing the amplifier from the front, remove

the jumper located completely at the back (the

last in the row) and save this jumper. Re-install

the top cover. Install a mini jack into IR IN at the

back of the CA-301 and plug the other end of

the mini jack into the 5VDC mini jack at the back

of your SSP-75. When the Standby button of the

SSP-75 is pressed, it will now activate the turn

on turn off circuitry of your CA-301. Several

amplifiers may be turned on automatically in

sequence or all at once, depending upon the

configuration of the jumper settings in the

amplifier. The table in Fig 1 tells you which

jumper should be inserted or removed to obtain

the correct sequence on which you will want

your amplifier to turn on.

J3 J2 J1 J0 ADDRESS RC Auto

Button ON

X X X X 0 Amp 1 No

X X X out 1 Amp 2 No

X X out X 2 Amp 3 No

X X out out 3 Amp 4 No

X out X X 4 Amp 5 No

X out X out 5 Amp 6 No

X out out X 0 Amp 1 No

X out out out 0 Amp 1 Yes

CA-301 FEATURES:

Newly developed special Classé symetrical

circuitry from input to output. Current capacity

increased above standard units. One massive

toroidal transformer totalizing 2 KVA. Over

70000 µF storage capacity for each channel.

Ten high current/voltage Bi-Polar devices per

channel. Discrete high voltage/current regulation

for the pre-driver and input sections. Metalized

polypropylene capacitors bypassing each output

device. Heavily gold plated bars connecting all

supplies for the ouput devices. Heavily gold

plated input and output connectors. All signal

carrying cables are shielded and have Litz type

configuration. All other wiring is oxygen free

copper.

Notice to all Classé Product owners:

Thank you for your purchase of a Classé Audio

component.

All of us at Classé have taken extreme care to

ensure that your purchase will become a prized

investment. We are proud to inform you that all

Classé Audio components have been officially

approved for the European Community CE mark.

This means that your Classé product has been

subjected to the most rigorous manufacturing

and safety tests in the world, and have proven

to meet or exceed all European Community CE

requirements for unit to unit consistency and

consumer safety.

All of us at Classé Audio wish you many years of

musical enjoyment.

As of July 18, 1996, Classé Audio has been

granted Certificate No: C401CLA1.MGS, which

indicates CE approval for all models of the Classé

Audio product line.

CLASSÉ AUDIO

5070 François Cusson

Lachine, Québec

Canada H8T 1B3

Telephone: +1 (514) 636-6384

Fax: +1 (514) 636-1428

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17

CA-301 SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency response:

Sensitivity:

Input Impedance:

Output Impedance:

THD+Noise:

Rated Output:

8 Ohms:

4 Ohms:

Dimensions:

Gross:

Net:

Weight:

Gross:

Net:

20 Hz to 20 KHz ± 0.1 dB

1.75 Volts in for rated output

16 K ohms

0.03 Ohm

0.002%

Stereo Mono

300 1200 Watts

600 2400 Watts

30" W. x 30" D. x 15" H. (76 x 76 x 38 cm)

19" W. x 19" D. x 9" H. (48 x 48 x 23 cm)

120 lbs. (54.4kg)

106 lbs. (48kg)

Classe Audio CA-301 User manual

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